Kaizer Chiefs have had a mixed start to the season, sitting ninth in the DStv Premiership standings after winning three of their first eight league games.
With a crucial MTN8 semi-final against AmaZulu on the horizon, they have a chance to put their poor league form behind them and end their seven-year trophy drought.
The Cup semi-final will be the second meeting between the two teams this season, with the first meeting in the league ending in a 0-0 draw after Chiefs missed a penalty from Dillan Solomons.
Chief coach Arthur Zwane, on the other hand, believes the upcoming Cup game will be very different.
We want to win this game, and it will not be easy. Cup games are not the same as league games, and I believe the first time we played them (AmaZulu), they were content with a draw,” Zwane explained.
“They (AmaZulu) will have to come out guns blazing on this one as well to ensure they get a goal.”
The Chiefs’ loss to Royal AM in the Macufe Cup last week added to their injury concerns, leaving Zwane without the luxury of a full squad.
“We’ve had a few knocks, Sabelo Radebe, Happy (Mashiane) did not train, and Khama Billiat are all questionable,” he explained.
With such a crucial game coming so soon after the international break, Zwane is not making an excuse for the game, emphasising that it can have both a negative and positive impact on the squad.
“It’s part of the game; the impact can be negative or positive, and at the end of the day, we’ll have to devise a strategy.”
AmaZulu enter the semi-finals in poor form, having lost their last two league games.
Despite this, Zwane is cautious and will not take anything for granted.
“It’s not going to come on a silver platter; we’ll have to dig deep, grind, and find a way,” Zwane said.
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